High Court again revokes bail ruling for TPP's Ko Wen-je

Taipei, Jan. 1 (CNA) The Taiwan High Court on Wednesday rescinded for the second time a Taiwan District Court ruling ordering former Taiwan People's Party (TPP) Chairman Ko Wen-je (柯文哲) and three others to be released on bail following their indictment on corruption-related charges.

In a ruling issued Wednesday evening, the high court cited a risk that Ko and three other suspects in the case -- real estate tycoon Sheen Ching-jing (沈慶京), Ko's former mayoral office head Lee Wen-tsung (李文宗), and Taipei City Councilor Ying Hsiao-wei (應曉薇) -- could collude with each other or witnesses using communication software.

Specifically, the district court did not address how it could prevent this happening undetected, the high court said.

The high court's decision, made after an appeal by prosecutors, means that the lower court must again reconsider its earlier decision, most likely on Thursday.

Ko, the TPP's founder and 2024 presidential candidate, was indicted last week on corruption-related charges, including bribery, in connection with his handling of a private developer's real estate project during his second term as Taipei mayor from 2018 to 2022.

The Taipei District Court initially granted Ko NT$30 million (US$915,425) bail, allowing him to be released from nearly four months of detention while awaiting trial.

However, prosecutors quickly filed an appeal, and on Sunday, the Taiwan High Court overruled the lower court's decision, ordering a reconsideration of the bail.

Following a detention hearing on Sunday evening, the Taipei District Court increased Ko's bail to NT$70 million with the condition that he wear an electronic monitoring tag.

Prosecutors appealed that decision as well, citing his "substantial influence."

Ko resigned as TPP chair on Wednesday. No time has been given yet for when his trial will begin.